16 inch tires: problems / benefits to changing?

[herrick51]

Hello.
I've read with great interest the post on replacing the 15 in.wheels and tires with 16 in. in order to achieve a e rated tire. However,when I checked the Eddie B. 25 there appeared to very little room left if the tire/road kicked up some object.I have a 2012 FB 25 FC and was wondering if any of the Eddie B. with the 16 upgrade have experienced ANY PROBLEM WITH THE DECREASED AREA IN THE WHEEL WELLS? The factory seemed hesitate to upgrade my tires when I ordered my AS and the dealer salesman wasn't helpful. So now I have the opportunity to spend more money than necessary and would like to be confident that I'm not trading one problem for another one. May all the Eddie's talk about their tires please. Thanks everyone.
Pete

[perryg114]

The 16" tires are going to be about 1" bigger in diameter than the 15" tires. You can also go to a 235/75-R15 which is a little taller and a little wider than stock. Either of these tires will be about 1/2" closer to the fender than what you have now. If you get the 108T Rated 235/75-R15 XL they are good up to 2183lbs. The 16" tire in an E rating will get you to 2680lbs.

Perry

[Phoenix]

See photos near end of the post below to view difference in clearance between 225/75x15 ST and 225/75x16 LT tires (both load range E) on a 2005, 19-foot Bambi. Other than some Airstreams needing to deflate tires to get them into the wheel wells (including myself), I don't recall anyone who has switched to 16-inch wheels and tires mentioning that they had clearance problems while underway.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f465...tml#post944334

[Moflash]

No clearance problems when I switched to 16's.
I am glad I did the change.

[herrick51]

Hello,
Thanks everyone for your input,the Eddie B. I looked at only had less than a 1/2 in clearance at leading edge of fender well. However, wish Airstream would include the non-metal cladding around the wheel wells on all models.Easier to replace. Again,appreciate the input.
Pete

[Beginner]

The original tires on my 1984 Excella 31" were 700/15 Michelin XCAs. I came by an old set for measurement pruposed and found the the BF Goodrich Commercial T/As, after being suggested by Bob Thompson, were the same diameter as the XCAs and as wide as the ST225/75R15s. I had no problems at all.

[purman]

I'm just switching mine now on my 68' They fit right in, and the added 1/2 inch really doesn't make that much of a difference in clearance. Most stuff other than liquids don't end up in the wheel well anyway.

[borealis2013]

Thank you all for your feedback! I'll be making a road trip from Arizona to Alaska in late April with my 2006 Safari 25 SE, and will switch to a 16-inch wheel/tires after reading everyone's posts.

[handn]

Originally Posted by perryg114

The 16" tires are going to be about 1" bigger in diameter than the 15" tires. You can also go to a 235/75-R15 which is a little taller and a little wider than stock. Either of these tires will be about 1/2" closer to the fender than what you have now. If you get the 108T Rated 235/75-R15 XL they are good up to 2183lbs. The 16" tire in an E rating will get you to 2680lbs.

Perry

235/75 R 15 XL is the route I went to replace exploding ST tires in my 2004 6300 gvw Safari. These tires would be good to go with a two axle trailer with an additional 1200-1500 gvw.
I ran over a screw and had to take one of my tires off to get it repaired. There was plenty of clearance for a DIY job.
Why go to 16 inch tires if you don't need the extra load capacity?
I like the ride on my tires inflated to 50 pounds. E rated tires with a higher inflation will ride rougher but hopefully not as rough as the oxcart ride I got with E rated ST tires.

[mefly2]

EB25: We're expecting to pick one up next week; will let you know then.

[borealis2013]

Great information from all who weighed in on tire size, and added to make an informed decision for me. THANK YOU ALL!!! I'm still new to trailering, so am finding the camaraderie and community of Airforums a wonderful resource.

[BAB]

I was where you are with this and I immediately removed the 15" wheels/tires from my brand new trailer once it had been delivered -- and installed 16" wheels/tires based on the hundreds (maybe thousands?) of posts on AirForums. So, after about 6,000 miles with my new trailer and the 16" choice I can only share my own observations. They have been flawless. The extra speed rating comes in handy when you are (occasionally) pushed to go over 65. Wheel well clearance was not an issue. In fact there have been NO issues by going to the larger size wheel/tire. Lastly, my peace of mind with this choice doesn't have a price associated with it. I do NOT worry about a self-destructing tire with a steel belt ripping out the wheel well/panel of my new trailer.

[dkottum]

I put the 16" wheels and Michelins on last fall and we have traveled 4,000 miles cross-country since, no clearance problems at all installing them or going down the road.

doug k

[Beginner]

handn
We did not go to 16 inch LT tires for the extra load capacity. We went to the LT tire because of the tires ability to withstand heat. A tire with a Speed rating of 99 MPH or better is made of rubber compounds that will withstand higher heat loads than a tire rated at 65 MPH(the ST tire). Those of us that have changed to the 16 inch tire have experienced little to no tire failures ( I have not had a single problem in fact, I check pressure constantly and only add nitrogen once a year at the beginning of the season).
Jim

[fbgairstream]

Does Michelin make a 15 inch load range E tire..I dont want to spend the money for new rims.